Turkish government warns opposition not to protest after Imamoglu's arrest

Turkey's government warned the main opposition party on Friday against "illegal" calls for street protests over the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

Thousands of people protested in the last two days across the country.

Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 53 people have been arrested and 16 police officers have been injured in protests that began on university campuses, the Istanbul municipality headquarters and other parts of the country on Thursday.

Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of corruption and supporting a terrorist group.

Imamoglu's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has said his arrest is politically motivated and has called on people to come out to protest legally.

Imamoglu's arrest has been condemned by European leaders.

Yerlikaya and Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc criticized calls for action by CHP leader Özgür Özel, calling them "irresponsible."

"Gathering and marching in protest are fundamental rights. But calling for taking to the streets for an ongoing legal investigation is illegal and unacceptable," Tunc said on X on Friday.

Tunc said the court is the place to respond to any legal process and called for calm, adding that the "independent and impartial judiciary" is assessing the case.

Turkey banned protests for four days after the arrest of Imamoglu, who is leading Erdogan in some polls in Turkey.

Demonstrations took place in Ankara, Izmir and Istanbul, as well as in other provinces across the country, on Thursday, while police set up barricades on several main roads.
Erdogan has dismissed opposition criticism as "theatrical scenes" and "slogans" that distract from his internal mistakes.

Speaking at the main rally in Istanbul on Thursday night, CHP leader Özel responded: "Hey Erdogan, the thing that scares you the most is the streets. Now we are on the streets, in the squares. Continue to be afraid."

Since Imamoglu's detention, many supporters have demanded more concrete and organized action from the CHP.

Imamoglu, 54, was arrested as the CHP prepared to announce him as its presidential candidate on Sunday. The party has urged people outside the party to vote for him at ballot boxes set up across the country as a sign of public resistance.

Turkey's next presidential election is due in 2028, but Erdogan, 71, could call a snap election to avoid the two-term limit if he decides to run again.